| In the past 35-45 years, college and university faculties have changed considerably and there is no longer a single profile that fits all professors in U.S. higher education. These demographic changes within the professoriate suggest that research is needed to understand faculty work life and careers. This study explores one particular aspect of academic life -- faculty members' interactions within the context of academic departments.;Faculty members' intradepartmental networks provide access, and potentially barriers, to resources pertinent to their daily work and careers, such as information about policies and politics, opportunities for research collaboration and publication, and general support and encouragement. Building on research about the diversification of the professoriate and social networks, and using a combination of social network analysis and qualitative research methods, this study explores the processes by which faculty members develop networks and exchange resources in academic departments.;The purpose of this study is to initiate the development of a theory of networks in academic departments. The conceptual framework that guides this research integrates Ibarra's model of network development among women and minorities in management, Finkelstein's typology of colleagueship functions, and the principle of homophily (the preference to interact with similar others). This framework guides an investigation of how departmental characteristics, individual characteristics, colleagueship functions, and networking behaviors influence networks and the exchange of resources in two academic departments. Findings from this study of networks in academic departments include propositions and implications for future research. |
